By Nsan Ndoma-Neji, Calabar
Governor of Cross River State, Senator Bassey Edet Otu on Sunday flagged off the first dry run ahead of the 20th Carnival Calabar, which kick-starts December 28, 2024 in Calabar, the Cross River State capital.
The dry run, which had several dignitaries drawn from all nooks and crannies in attendance was filled with lots of excitement.
The event marks three dry runs held annually to prepare fun seekers ahead of the main carnival that comes up December.
Flagging-off the first dry run event at the Millennium Park, Murtala Mohammed Highway, Calabar on Sunday, the Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, CRHA, Mr. Elvert Ayambem, stated that the 2024 carnival with the theme: ‘Our Shared Prosperity, will be the biggest and best ever experience.
The state chief executive officer charged tourists and visitors across the globe to join the state and participate in the 20th anniversary celebrations billed for December 2024.
Dignitaries in attendance included the wife of of former governor of Cross River State and founder of Carnival Calabar festival Mrs. Onari Duke, new state Commissioner of Police, CP, Peter Okpara, and leaders of the seven competing carnival bands.
Others were Mr. Effiong Ekpeyong, the Chairman of the Festival Committee, and Mr. Austin Cobham, the Executive Secretary of the state Carnival Commission.
Speaking earlier before the Speaker of the CRHA, Ayambem who represented the state governor, Otu, the chairman of the state Carnival Commission Mr. Gabriel Onah expressed joy for the 2024 Christmas carnival, assuring the people of a successful ceremony.
He said, “This year’s carnival will be big, and stronger as if it has never happen before. It’s going to be memorable and enjoyable, full of excitement. Our doors will be open to tourists and visitors willing to come and catch fun with us in the state.”
Thousands of carnival enthusiasts from the competing bands and non-competing groups danced and paraded along the 12-kilometre carnival routes in Calabar, the Cross River State capital.
